9-Types of sutures (pictures) + categorization + their use.

Non-Absorbable suture materials

Suture Types Uses Picture
Silk -Braided or Twisted Ligation and suturing when
multifilament. long-term tissue Support is
-Dyed or Undyed. necessary for securing drains
-Coated or Uncoated. externally

Linen Twisted Ligation and suturing in

gastrointestinal surgery

Surgical steel Monofilament or Closure of sternotomy

multifilament wounds

Nylon -Monofilament or braided General surgical use (skin

multifilament. closure, abdominal wall mass
-Dyed or undyed. closure, hernia repair, plastic
surgery, neurosurgery,
microsurgery, ophthalmic
surgery)
Polyester -Monofilament or braided Cardiovascular, ophthalmic,
multifilament. plastic, and general surgery
-Dyed or Undyed.
-Coated or Uncoated.

Polybutester -Monofilament. Exhibits a degree of

-Dyed or Undyed. elasticity. Particularly
favoured for use in plastic
surgery

Polypropylene -Monofilament. Cardiovascular surgery,

-Dyed or Undyed. plastic surgery, ophthalmic
surgery, general surgical
subcuticular skin closure
 Absorbable suture materials
Suture Types Uses
Catgut Plain Ligation superficial vessels,
suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly

Catgut Chromic Ligation superficial vessels,

suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly

Polyglactin Braided multifilament General surgical use where

absorbable sutures required
(gut anastomoses, vascular
ligatures)

Polyglyconate -Monofilament. As an alternative to Vicryl

-Dyed or undyed. and PDS

Polyglycolic -Braided or Uses as for other absorbable

acid multifilament. sutures, in particular where
-Dyed or Undyed. slightly longer wound
-Coated or Uncoated. support is required

Polydioxanone -Monofilament. Uses as for other absorbable

(PDS) -Dyed or Undyed. sutures, in particular where
slightly longer wound
support is require

Polyglycaprone Monofilament Subcuticular in skin, ligation,

gastrointestinal and muscle
surgery
9-Types of sutures (pictures) + categorization + their use.

Non-Absorbable suture materials

Suture Types Uses Picture
Silk -Braided or Twisted Ligation and suturing when
multifilament. long-term tissue Support is
-Dyed or Undyed. necessary for securing drains
-Coated or Uncoated. externally

Linen Twisted Ligation and suturing in

gastrointestinal surgery

Surgical steel Monofilament or Closure of sternotomy

multifilament wounds

Nylon -Monofilament or braided General surgical use (skin

multifilament. closure, abdominal wall mass
-Dyed or undyed. closure, hernia repair, plastic
surgery, neurosurgery,
microsurgery, ophthalmic
surgery)
Polyester -Monofilament or braided Cardiovascular, ophthalmic,
multifilament. plastic, and general surgery
-Dyed or Undyed.
-Coated or Uncoated.

Polybutester -Monofilament. Exhibits a degree of

-Dyed or Undyed. elasticity. Particularly
favoured for use in plastic
surgery

Polypropylene -Monofilament. Cardiovascular surgery,

-Dyed or Undyed. plastic surgery, ophthalmic
surgery, general surgical
subcuticular skin closure
 Absorbable suture materials
Suture Types Uses
Catgut Plain Ligation superficial vessels,
suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly
Catgut Chromic Ligation superficial vessels,
suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly

Polyglactin Braided multifilament General surgical use where

absorbable sutures required
(gut anastomoses, vascular
ligatures)

Polyglyconate -Monofilament. As an alternative to Vicryl

-Dyed or undyed. and PDS

Polyglycolic -Braided or multifilament. Uses as for other absorbable

acid -Dyed or Undyed. sutures, in particular where
-Coated or Uncoated. slightly longer wound
support is required

Polydioxanone -Monofilament. Uses as for other absorbable

(PDS) -Dyed or Undyed. sutures, in particular where
slightly longer wound
support is require
Polyglycaprone Monofilament Subcuticular in skin, ligation,
gastrointestinal and muscle
surgery
9-Types of sutures (pictures) + categorization + their use.

Non-Absorbable suture materials

Suture Types Uses Picture
Silk -Braided or Twisted Ligation and suturing when
multifilament. long-term tissue Support is
-Dyed or Undyed. necessary for securing drains
-Coated or Uncoated. externally

Linen Twisted Ligation and suturing in

gastrointestinal surgery

Surgical steel Monofilament or Closure of sternotomy

multifilament wounds

Nylon -Monofilament or braided General surgical use (skin

multifilament. closure, abdominal wall mass
-Dyed or undyed. closure, hernia repair, plastic
surgery, neurosurgery,
microsurgery, ophthalmic
surgery)
Polyester -Monofilament or braided Cardiovascular, ophthalmic,
multifilament. plastic, and general surgery
-Dyed or Undyed.
-Coated or Uncoated.

Polybutester -Monofilament. Exhibits a degree of

-Dyed or Undyed. elasticity. Particularly
favoured for use in plastic
surgery

Polypropylene -Monofilament. Cardiovascular surgery,

-Dyed or Undyed. plastic surgery, ophthalmic
surgery, general surgical
subcuticular skin closure
 Absorbable suture materials
Suture Types Uses
Catgut Plain Ligation superficial vessels,
suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly

Catgut Chromic Ligation superficial vessels,

suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly

Polyglactin Braided multifilament General surgical use where

absorbable sutures required
(gut anastomoses, vascular
ligatures)

Polyglyconate -Monofilament. As an alternative to Vicryl

-Dyed or undyed. and PDS

Polyglycolic -Braided or multifilament. Uses as for other absorbable

acid -Dyed or Undyed. sutures, in particular where
-Coated or Uncoated. slightly longer wound
support is required

Polydioxanone -Monofilament. Uses as for other absorbable

(PDS) -Dyed or Undyed. sutures, in particular where
slightly longer wound
support is require

Polyglycaprone Monofilament Subcuticular in skin, ligation,

gastrointestinal and muscle
surgery
9-Types of sutures (pictures) + categorization + their use.

Non-Absorbable suture materials

Suture Types Uses Picture
Silk -Braided or Twisted Ligation and suturing when
multifilament. long-term tissue Support is
-Dyed or Undyed. necessary for securing drains
-Coated or Uncoated. externally

Linen Twisted Ligation and suturing in

gastrointestinal surgery

Surgical steel Monofilament or Closure of sternotomy

multifilament wounds

Nylon -Monofilament or braided General surgical use (skin

multifilament. closure, abdominal wall mass
-Dyed or undyed. closure, hernia repair, plastic
surgery, neurosurgery,
microsurgery, ophthalmic
surgery)
Polyester -Monofilament or braided Cardiovascular, ophthalmic,
multifilament. plastic, and general surgery
-Dyed or Undyed.
-Coated or Uncoated.

Polybutester -Monofilament. Exhibits a degree of

-Dyed or Undyed. elasticity. Particularly
favoured for use in plastic
surgery

Polypropylene -Monofilament. Cardiovascular surgery,

-Dyed or Undyed. plastic surgery, ophthalmic
surgery, general surgical
subcuticular skin closure
 Absorbable suture materials
Suture Types Uses
Catgut Plain Ligation superficial vessels,
suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly

Catgut Chromic Ligation superficial vessels,

suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly

Polyglactin Braided multifilament General surgical use where

absorbable sutures required
(gut anastomoses, vascular
ligatures)

Polyglyconate -Monofilament. As an alternative to Vicryl

-Dyed or undyed. and PDS

Polyglycolic -Braided or multifilament. Uses as for other absorbable

acid -Dyed or Undyed. sutures, in particular where
-Coated or Uncoated. slightly longer wound
support is required

Polydioxanone -Monofilament. Uses as for other absorbable

(PDS) -Dyed or Undyed. sutures, in particular where
slightly longer wound
support is require

Polyglycaprone Monofilament Subcuticular in skin, ligation,

gastrointestinal and muscle
surgery
9-Types of sutures (pictures) + categorization + their use.

Non-Absorbable suture materials

Suture Types Uses Picture
Silk -Braided or Twisted Ligation and suturing when
multifilament. long-term tissue Support is
-Dyed or Undyed. necessary for securing drains
-Coated or Uncoated. externally

Linen Twisted Ligation and suturing in

gastrointestinal surgery

Surgical steel Monofilament or Closure of sternotomy

multifilament wounds

Nylon -Monofilament or braided General surgical use (skin

multifilament. closure, abdominal wall mass
-Dyed or undyed. closure, hernia repair, plastic
surgery, neurosurgery,
microsurgery, ophthalmic
surgery)

Polyester -Monofilament or braided Cardiovascular, ophthalmic,

multifilament. plastic, and general surgery
-Dyed or Undyed.
-Coated or Uncoated.

Polybutester -Monofilament. Exhibits a degree of

-Dyed or Undyed. elasticity. Particularly
favoured for use in plastic
surgery

Polypropylene -Monofilament. Cardiovascular surgery,

-Dyed or Undyed. plastic surgery, ophthalmic
surgery, general surgical
subcuticular skin closure
 Absorbable suture materials
Suture Types Uses
Catgut Plain Ligation superficial vessels,
suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly
Catgut Chromic Ligation superficial vessels,
suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly

Polyglactin Braided multifilament General surgical use where

absorbable sutures required
(gut anastomoses, vascular
ligatures)

Polyglyconate -Monofilament. As an alternative to Vicryl

-Dyed or undyed. and PDS

Polyglycolic -Braided or multifilament. Uses as for other absorbable

acid -Dyed or Undyed. sutures, in particular where
-Coated or Uncoated. slightly longer wound
support is required

Polydioxanone -Monofilament. Uses as for other absorbable

(PDS) -Dyed or Undyed. sutures, in particular where
slightly longer wound
support is require

Polyglycaprone Monofilament Subcuticular in skin, ligation,

gastrointestinal and muscle
surgery
9-Types of sutures (pictures) + categorization + their use.

Non-Absorbable suture materials

Suture Types Uses Picture
Silk -Braided or Twisted Ligation and suturing when
multifilament. long-term tissue Support is
-Dyed or Undyed. necessary for securing drains
-Coated or Uncoated. externally

Linen Twisted Ligation and suturing in

gastrointestinal surgery

Surgical steel Monofilament or Closure of sternotomy

multifilament wounds

Nylon -Monofilament or braided General surgical use (skin

multifilament. closure, abdominal wall mass
-Dyed or undyed. closure, hernia repair, plastic
surgery, neurosurgery,
microsurgery, ophthalmic
surgery)
Polyester -Monofilament or braided Cardiovascular, ophthalmic,
multifilament. plastic, and general surgery
-Dyed or Undyed.
-Coated or Uncoated.

Polybutester -Monofilament. Exhibits a degree of

-Dyed or Undyed. elasticity. Particularly
favoured for use in plastic
surgery

Polypropylene -Monofilament. Cardiovascular surgery,

-Dyed or Undyed. plastic surgery, ophthalmic
surgery, general surgical
subcuticular skin closure
 Absorbable suture materials
Suture Types Uses
Catgut Plain Ligation superficial vessels,
suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly

Catgut Chromic Ligation superficial vessels,

suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly

Polyglactin Braided multifilament General surgical use where

absorbable sutures required
(gut anastomoses, vascular
ligatures)

Polyglyconate -Monofilament. As an alternative to Vicryl

-Dyed or undyed. and PDS

Polyglycolic -Braided or Uses as for other absorbable

acid multifilament. sutures, in particular where
-Dyed or Undyed. slightly longer wound
-Coated or Uncoated. support is required

Polydioxanone -Monofilament. Uses as for other absorbable

(PDS) -Dyed or Undyed. sutures, in particular where
slightly longer wound
support is require

Polyglycaprone Monofilament Subcuticular in skin, ligation,

gastrointestinal and muscle
surgery
9-Types of sutures (pictures) + categorization + their use.

Non-Absorbable suture materials

Suture Types Uses Picture
Silk -Braided or Twisted Ligation and suturing when
multifilament. long-term tissue Support is
-Dyed or Undyed. necessary for securing drains
-Coated or Uncoated. externally

Linen Twisted Ligation and suturing in

gastrointestinal surgery

Surgical steel Monofilament or Closure of sternotomy

multifilament wounds

Nylon -Monofilament or braided General surgical use (skin

multifilament. closure, abdominal wall mass
-Dyed or undyed. closure, hernia repair, plastic
surgery, neurosurgery,
microsurgery, ophthalmic
surgery)
Polyester -Monofilament or braided Cardiovascular, ophthalmic,
multifilament. plastic, and general surgery
-Dyed or Undyed.
-Coated or Uncoated.

Polybutester -Monofilament. Exhibits a degree of

-Dyed or Undyed. elasticity. Particularly
favoured for use in plastic
surgery

Polypropylene -Monofilament. Cardiovascular surgery,

-Dyed or Undyed. plastic surgery, ophthalmic
surgery, general surgical
subcuticular skin closure
 Absorbable suture materials
Suture Types Uses
Catgut Plain Ligation superficial vessels,
suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly

Catgut Chromic Ligation superficial vessels,

suture subcutaneous tissues
Stomas and other tissues
that heal rapidly

Polyglactin Braided multifilament General surgical use where

absorbable sutures required
(gut anastomoses, vascular
ligatures)

Polyglyconate -Monofilament. As an alternative to Vicryl

-Dyed or undyed. and PDS

Polyglycolic -Braided or multifilament. Uses as for other absorbable

acid -Dyed or Undyed. sutures, in particular where
-Coated or Uncoated. slightly longer wound
support is required
Polydioxanone -Monofilament. Uses as for other absorbable
(PDS) -Dyed or Undyed. sutures, in particular where
slightly longer wound
support is require

Polyglycaprone Monofilament Subcuticular in skin, ligation,

gastrointestinal and muscle
surgery